Pivotal connection



July 11, 1933. `l-L Q HARRIS 1,917,797

PIVOTAL CONNECTION Filed June 4, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet l l 36 l 36 8.37 45 i 4o 7 4l l 41 l 46.

July 1l, 1.933. y H C, HARRlS 1,917,797

PIVOTAL CONNECTION Filed June 4, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 l'fj. 79 83 8,' 80 82 ,85

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ml/r 73 7/ 72 lmmm July 1l, 1933. H C HARRIS 1,917,797

PIVOTAL CONNECTION Filed June 4, 1926 4 Shets-Sheet 3 July 11, 1933. H C HARRB n' 1,917,797

PIVOTAL CONNECTION Filed June 4, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 @fw /JS /4/ I I /4/ Patented July 11, 1933 UNITED STATES- PATENT oFFlcE HOWARD C. HARRIS, F AKRON, OHIO; ARCHER HI. HARRIS, ADMINISTRATOR'OF SAID HOWARD C. HARRIS, DECEASED,

CENTRAL TBST COMPANY, OF AKRON, 0

ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, T0 THE FIRST- HIO, A CORPORATION 0F OHIO, AS TRUSTEE PIVOTAL CONNECTION Application led June 4, 1926. Serial No. 113,611.

This invention relates broadly to pivotal connections between relatively oscillatable members and more particularly to connections especially adapted for use in motor vehicles between the springs and the frame thereof.

It is one of the objects of the present invention to provide an improved form of connection for use in cases where the movement between the members is relatively small, so as to eliminate the usual journal bearings which, in the case of spring connections, are subject to excessive Wear and otherwise objectionable because of their tendency to squeak and rattle.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved form of connection embodying rubber bushings which will be adapted to absorb shocks and prevent the transmission thereof from one of the connected members to the other, and also accommodate the relative oscillations through flexing of the rubber.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved form of connection that will be comparatively simple in design and adapted for commercial production at a minimum cost and that will also be capable of being readily and conveniently assembled and disassembled.

Other objects of the invention and the features of novelty will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, of which:

Fig. 1 is a transverse section through a shackle connection, embodying my invention, between the spring and rame of a motor vehicle;

Fig. 2 is a similar view of another form of the invention;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation, on a reduced scale, of the shackle connection illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a section, on a reduced scale, on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a transverse section of a construction similar to Fig. 1, but showing the application of the invention to a pivotal connection, such as is commonly employed between the front end of a rear spring and the vehicle frame; i

Fig. 6 is a View similar to Fig. 5 but showmg the application of the form of construction, illustrated in Fig. 2, to a pivotal connection such as is commonly employed between the front end of a rear spring and the vehicle frame;

Fig. 7 is a View similar to Fig. 1 but 'showing another form of the invention as applied to a shackle connection;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing still another form of shackle connection;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to- Fig. 5 but showing t-he form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 7, as applied to the connection between the front end of a rear spring and the vehicle frame;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9 but i1- lustrating the application of the form of con` struction, illustrated in Fig. 8, to the connection between the front end of a rear spring and the vehicle frame;

Fig. 11 is a side elevation, scale, of the form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 7

Fig. 12 is a transverse section throughanother form of shackle connection embodying my invention;

Fig. 13 is a side elevation thereof, on a reduced scale;

Fig. 14 is a section through a pivotal connection, embodying the form of construction illustrated in Fig. 12, as applied to the connection between the front end of a rear spring and the vehicle frame;

Fig. 15 is a section of another form of shackle connection embodying my invention;

Fig. 16 is a section of a pivotal connection embodying the form of construction illustrated in Fig. 15, as applied to the connection between the front end of a rear spring and the vehicle frame;

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary sectional view of a shackle connection embodying a slight modification of the construction illustrated in Fig. 15;

Fig. 18 is a section on the line 18-18 of Fig. 17;

ig. 19 is a section through still another form of shackle connection embodying my invention;

Fig. 2O is a section on the line 20-20 of Fi 19;

Fig. 21 is a section of a pivotal connection embodyin the form of construction illustrated in ig. 19, as applied to the connection between the front end of a rear spring and the vehicle frame; and

Fig. 22 is a side elevation, on a reduced scale, of the form of construction illustrated inFi .21.

Re erring to the drawings and more particularly to the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3, 30 indicates the end portion of one of the side members of a motor vehicle frame and 31 a rear spring. Mounted on the end of the spring is a casting or forging 32 which has its lower face recessed to receive the end of the spring, the parts being secured together by a bolt 33 which passes through the spring and a strap 34, which passes over the spring and is secured to the member 32 by bolts 35. The opposite sides of the part 30 of the frame are provided with annular recesses 36 and outwardly tapering arms 37 which project laterally from the centers of these recesses and are, preferably, of non-circular cross section. In the drawings, these arms 37 are indicated as hexagonal in sha Rubber bhshings 38 are mounted on the arms 37, with their inner ends seated in the recesses 36, these' bushings having central bores which conform to the exterior shape of the arms 37 so that the bushings will be normally held against rotation on the arms, although the arrangement is such that excessive tortional flexing of the bushings may cause them to Slip, to some extent, on the arms. 4It is important to have a portion of the outer surface of each bushing exposed or unconfined, as indicated at 38', in order to permit the necessary twisting of the bushing at this point, that is due to the relative oscillation of the parts, without subjecting the rubber to destructive stresses, and I have found that the width of this exposed surfe/:e should ap roximate the radial thickness of the wall o the bushing.

The member 32 is provided with recesses 39 on its opposite sides, similar to the recesses 36, and also laterally projecting outwardly tapering arms 40 which are similar to the arms 37. Rubber bushings 41, similar to the bushings 38, are mounted on the arms 40. Shackle member 42 and 43 have cup-shaped recesses 44 in their end portions to receive and closely t over the outer ends of the bushin 38 and 41. A bolt 45 connects the midd e portions of the shackle members 42 and 43 and is adapted to draw them together and thus compress the rubber bushings and cause the arms 37 and 40 to subj ect them to ex anding pressure so that they will be held su stantially against turning in the recesses A44, although there may be some slippage of the bushin in these recesses when excessive tortional exing of the bushings occurs.

The construction just described has the advantage of convenience in assembling and disassembling and the projection of the arms 37 and 40 into the recesses 44, together with the compression of the bushings, as previously described, provides a construction that will be substantial and not subject to racking.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 2, the construction is generaly similar to that illustrated in Fig. 1, with the exce tion that the rubber bushings 46 are of substantially the same len th as the arms 37 and 40 and are securedg on these arms by means of the bolts 47 and washers 48. The shackle members 49 have openings 50 therein which permit the shackle members to be drawn together, for the purpose of compressing the rubber bushings, without interference with the bolts 47 or the ends of the arms 37 and 40. An advantage of this construction is that the arms 37 and 40 may be longer than in the construction illustrated in Fig. 1 and have contact with the rubber bushings throughout the entire length of the latter.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 5, there is a member 51 which is similar to the member 32 and may be attached to the spring 52 in the manner previously described. This construction is applicable to what is commonly known as the pivot end of the spring and comprises a bracket 53, which is attached to the vehicle frame and has the downwardly extending arms 54 which are provided with bores 55 in which the cupshaped members 56 are adjustably mounted. Rubber bushings 57 are arranged on the arms 58, of the member 5l, and fit the recesses 59 in the members 56. These members 56 may be adjusted for the purpose of compressing the bushings 57, by means of one or more bolts 60 From the foregoing description of Fig. 5, it will be apparent that the construction is substantially equivalent to one-half of the shackle construction illustrated in Fig. l but the compression of the bushings is effected by means of bolts 60 which serve the purpose of the bolt 45. o

The construction illustrated in Fig. 6 is similar to that illustrated in Fig. 5, with the exception that the arms 61 are longer and the rubber bushings 62 are secured on the arms by means of the bolts 63 and washers 64. The members 65, which are generally similar to the' members 56, are provided with openings 66 which serve the same purpose as the openings 50 in the construction illustrated in Fig. 2.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 7 and 11, the end of the vehicle frame is indicated at 67 and is provided with spherical sockets 68 in its o poeite sides to receive the rubber balls 69, t e latter bein preferably provided with a rigid core 70, w ich may be made of metal. A member 71 is attached to the end of the spring 72 in the same manner as the member 32 is attached to the sprin 31,

and this member 71 has the spherical soc ets 73 in its oplposite sides to receive the rubber balls 74 w ich are provided with the rigid cores 75 in the same manner as the balls 69. Shackle members 76 have spherical sockets 77 in the end portions thereof to receive the balls 69 and 74 and these shackle members are drawn together b means of a bolt 78 and thereby clamp the alls 69 and 74 in position.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Fi 8, the end of the frame is indicated at 79 an is rovided with an eye 80, having the counter ores 81 and 82. Rubber bushings 83 are inserted into the eye 80 from opposite sides of the member 79 and are provided with central bores toreceive the non-circular pin 84 which is free from other metal parts but transmits the loads from the frame to the sprin In a similar manner, the member 85, w ich is mounted on the end of the spring, as previously described, has an eye 86 into which the bushings 87 are inserted, these bushings having therein a central pin 88 that is similar to the pin 84. The shackle members 89 are substantially the same as the shackle members 42 and 43, previously described, and are clamped together, to compress the rubber bushings, by means of the bolt 90. In this case the relative oscillations between the members 79 and 85 and links 89 are accommodated partly by torsional flexing of the rubber bushings between the links and the pins 84 and 88 and partly by torsional flexing of the bushings between the pins 84 and 88 and the members 79 and 85.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 9, the construction illustrated in Fig.

'f' 5 is modified to receive the balls 91 which are similar to the balls 69 and 74, previously described. The member 92, which is mounted on the end of the spring, is similar to the member 71 and this form of construction is applicable to the pivot end of the spring.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 10, the construction illustrated in Fi is modified to embody a member 93, whic is mounted on the end of the spring and is similar to the member 86, and the bushings 94 having a pin 95 extending therethrough similar in arrangement and function to the. pins 84 and 88. In this form, the compression of the bushings 94 is effected by means of the bolts 96, which are similar to the bolts 60.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13, the end of the frame member is indicated at 97 and is provided with C3 an eye, the opposite ends of which are reversely tapered, as indicated at 98 and 99 or otherwise shaped to provide a central ridge therein. A member 100 is secured to the end of the spring 101 in the manner previously described with reference to the member 32, and is provided with an eye having oppositely tapered portions 102 and 103, similar to the eye in the frame member 97. The shackle members 104 are each provided with a pair of laterally projecting inwardly tapering arms 105 and 106 on which the rubber bushings 107 are mounted, these bushings extending into the eyes of the members 97 and 100 and having their adjacent ends in abutting relation and also fitting the oppeositel tapered parts of the eyes so as to hel against shifting axially. -The arms 105 and 106 are preferably non-circular in cross section and I have shown them as hexagonal in shape. The shackle members are clamped together by means of the .bolt 108 which serves as a means to compress the bushings for the purpose previously described.

In the form of the invention illustrated 'in Fig. 14, the essential features of the construction illustrated in Fig. 12 are incorporated in a pivotal connection of which the member 109 is attached to the frame of the vehicle and the member 110 is similar to the member 100 and is secured to the spring 111. The member 109 is provided with the aligned bores 112, in which the members 113 are adjustably seated. The members 113 are provided withl arms 114 which are similar to the arms 105 and 106 and carry the bushings 107, which are also mounted in the eye of the member 110. The members 113 are adjusted to compress the rubber bushings, by means of the bolts 115, of which there may be one or'more on each side.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 15, the frame member is indicated at 116 and has the laterally projecting tapering arms 117 on which the rubber bushings 118 are mounted. The arms 117 are preferably of non-circular cross section and the opposite sides of the member 116 are provided with annular recesses 119 to receive the inner ends of the bushings 118. The end of the spring is provided with an eye 120, such as is now common in spring construction, and members 121 extend into the eye from opposite ends thereof and are provided with iianges 122 and outwardly projecting arms 123. Rubber bushings 124 are mounted on the arms 123, the latter being preferably of noncircular cross section so as to normally hold the bushings against rotation thereon. Shackle members 125, similar to the shackle members 42 and 43, are mounted on the bush- -ings 118 and 124 and are connected together by the bolt 126 which serves to compress the bushings, as previously describe The clamping effect of the bolt 126 also serves to secure the members 121 in the eye 120. In

lli?

i order to prevent expansion of the' e e 120 the members 121 have flanges 127 w 'ch ti the exterior of the eye 120, as shown.

The form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 17 is a slight modification of the construction illustrated in Fig. 15 in that the members 128 are secured in the eye 120 by means of the clamping bolt 129, which extends through the members, as shown. .In this manner, the members 128 are positively clamped in position on the end of the spring, whereas in the form of the invention illusf trated in Fig. 15, the members 121 are indirectly clamped in position-by means of the bolt 126 which acts through the rubber bushings. y In the form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 16, the members 130 are mounted in the spring eye 131, the members 130 being similar to the members 121. In other respects the construction is similar to Fig. 5.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 19 and 20, the end of the frame member is indicated at 132 and is provided with the laterally projecting arms 133 on which the rubber bushings 134 are mounted. The member 135 straddles the spring 136 so that the latter is brought close to the axis of the laterally projecting arms 137. The spring 136 is secured to the member 135 by means of the dowel 138 and by bolts 139 and 140. Rubber bushings 141 are mounted on the arms 137 and shackle members 142, similar to the shackle members 42 and 43, are mounted on the rubber bushings 134 and 141 and are clamped together, for the purpose of compressing the bushings, by means of a bolt 143. This construction has the advantage of shortening the distance between the end of the spring and the end of the frame and also permits the member 135 to be so mounted on the spring that there is little or no tendency for it to rock on the spring.

In the form ofthe invention illustrated in Fig. 21, the member 144 is similar to the i member 135 and is'attached to the spring 145 in the same manner as described. A

bracket 146 is secured to the vehicle framev 147 and members 148 are secured to the bracket 146 by means of bolts 149, one or more shims 150 being provided to permit the necessary adjustment for compressing the rubber bushings 151. The members 148 are provided with cup-shaped recesses 152 to receive the outer ends of the rubber bushings 151 and the lower ends of the members 148 are secured together by means of a bolt 153 and 'a spacer 154, washers 155 being provided at the ends of the spacer 154 to permit the adjustment of the members 148.

Having thus described my invention, I

' claim:

1. In devices of the class described, the combination of a' frame member having arms projecting from opposite sides thereof, s spring member having arms projectin from opposite sides thereo and in paralle relation to the first-mentioned arms, shackle members having cup-shaped portions enclosing the end portions of said arms but spaced therefrom, rubber bushings non-rotatably held in said cup-shaped rtions and nonrotatably arra d on sai arms and thro h which the shac e members are oscillatab y connected with the arms, and a bolt connecting said shackle members and ada ted to draw them together to compress sai bushings axially.

2. In devices of' the class described, the combination of a frame member having arms projecting from opposite sides thereof Ia. spring member having arms projecting from opposite sides thereof and in parallel relation to the first-mentioned arms, shackle members having cupshaped portions enclosing the end portions of said arms but spaced therefrom, rubber bushings nonrotatably held in said cup-shaped portions and non-rotatably arranged on said arms and through which the shackle members are oscillatably connected with the arms, and a bolt arranged parallel with said arms and connecting said yshackle members together and whereby the shackle members may be drawn together to compress said bushings axially. 3. In devices-of the class described, the combination of a frame member and a spring member both provided with recesses in their opposite sides, pairs of rubber bushings fitting in said recesses and projecting laterall from said members, shackle members eac having cup-shaped portions adapted to receive and confine the maj or part of said laterally projecting portions of said bushings, and members extending axially through said bushings and through which the stresses are transmitted from the frame member to the 'spring member, and means for drawing said shackle members together to compress said bushings.

4. In devices of the class described, the combination of a frame member and a spring member both provided with recesses in their opposite sides, pairs of rubber bushings fitting in said recesses and projecting laterally from said members, shackle members each having cup-shaped portions adapted to receive and be mounted upon the outer ends of said bushings, members extending axially through said bushings and through which the stresses are transmitted from the frame member to the spring member, and a bolt connecting said shackle members and whereby said shackle members may be drawn together to compress said bushings axially.

5. In pivotal connections, the combination of two relatively oscillatable members, o ne of which has supporting arms projecting from opposite sides thereof, the other of said members being provided with a sockets into which said arms project, and flexible bushings non-rotatably mounted on said arms and in said sockets with their op osite ends engaging and held by relative y oscillatable surfaces, whereby the relative oscillations of said members are effected by the torsional flexing of said bushings.

6. In pivotal connections, the combination of two relatively oscillatable members, one of which has supporting arms pro'ecting from opposite sides thereof, the ot er of said members being provided with sockets into which said arms project, and flexible bushings non-rotatably mounted on said arms and in said sockets with their opposite ends engaging and held by relatively oscillatable surfaces, said members being spaced apart so as to leave unconfined a substantial portion of the outer surface of each of said bushings, and the relative oscillations of said members being permitted by the torsional flexing of said bushings.

7. In pivotal connections, the combination of two relatively oscillatable members, one of which has supporting arms projecting from opposite sides thereof, the other of said members being provided with sockets into which said arms project, and flexible bushings non-rotatably mounted on said arms and in said sockets with their opposite ends engaging and held by relatively oscillatable surfaces, whereby the relative oscillations of said members are effected by the torsional flexing of said bushings, and means for compressing said bushings axially.

8. In pivotal connections, the combination of two relatively oscillatable members, one of which has supporting arms projecting from opposite sides thereof, the other of said members being provided with sockets into which said arms project, and iiexible bushings non-rotatably mounted on said arms and in said sockets with their opposite ends engaging and held by relatively oscillatable surfaces, whereby the relative oscillations ofsaid members are effected by the torsional llexing of said bushings, said members being spaced apart so as to leave unconned a substantial portion of the outer surface of each of said bushings, and means for compressing said bushings axially. 9. In pivotal connections, the combination of a spring having an eye, and a member oscillatably connected therewith and provided with opposed axially aligned sockets, arms projecting from opposite sides of said spring and into said sockets and each having a portion extending into said eye and a flange adjacent the side of the spring, and exible bushings non-rotatably secured in said sockets and on said arms and arranged to torsionally lex to accommodate the relative oscillations of said member and said spring.

10. pivotal connections, the combination of a spring having an eye, and a member oscillatably connected therewith and provided with opposed axially ali ed sockets, arms projecting from opposite sides of said spring and into said sockets and each having a rtion extending into said eye and a flan ge a jacent the side of the escpring, flexible bushings non-rotatably secur in said sockets and on said arms, and means for compressing said bushings axially.

11. In pivotal connections, the combination of a spring having an eye, and a member oscillatably connected therewith and provided with opposed axially aligned sockets, arms projecting from opposite sides of said spring and into said sockets and each having a portion extending into said eye and a flange adjacent the side of the spring, a bolt extending through said arms for clamping them to said spring, and flexible bushings non-rotatably secured in said sockets and on said arms.

12. In pivotal connections, the combination of a spring having an eye, and a member oscillatably connected therewith and provided with opposed axially aligned sockets, arms projecting from opposite sides of said spring and into said sockets and each having a portion extending into said eye and a flange adjacent the side of the spring, a bolt for clamping said arms to said spring, flexible bushings non-rotatably secured in said sockets and on said arms, and means for compressing said bushings axially.

' 13. In pivotal connections, the combination of a spring having an eye, and a member oscillatably connected therewith and provided with opposed axially aligned sockets, means secured in said eye and comprising arms projecting from op osite sides of said spring and into said soc ets, flexible bushings non-rotatably secured in said sockets and on said arms, and means for compressing said bushings axially.

14. In pivotal connections, the combination of a spring having an eye, and a member oscillatably connected therewith and provided with opposed axially aligned sockets, means secured in said eye and comprising arms projecting from opposite sides of said spring and into said sockets, flexible bushings nonrotatably secured in said sockets and on said arms, and means for drawing said sockets toward said spring to compress said bushings axially.

15. In pivotal connections, the combination of a spring having an eye, and a member oscillatably connected therewith and provided with opposed axially aligned sockets, means secured in said eye and comprising arms projecting from the opposite sides of said spring and into said sockets and having flanges adjacent the opposite sides of said spring, and flexible bushings non-rotatably secured in said sockets and on said arms, with their inner ends en aging said flanges and arranged to torsiona ly flex to accommodate the relative oscillations of said member and said spring.

16. In pivotal connections, the combination of a spring having an eye, and a member oscillatably connected therewith and provided with opposed axially ali ned sockets, means secured in said eye an comprising arms projectin from the o )posite sides of said spring an( into said soc ets and havin flanges adjacent the opposite sides of sai spring, flexible bushings non-rotatably secured'in said sockets and on said arms, with their inner ends engaging said flanges and arranged to torsionally flex to accommodate the relative oscillations of said member and said spring, and mea-ns for compressing said bushings axially.

17. In pivotal connections, the combination of a spring having an eye, and a member oscillatably connected therewith and. rovided with op osed axially aligned soc ets, means securedp in said eye and comprising arms projecting from the opposite sides of said spring and into said sockets and having flanges adjacent the opposite sides o f said spring, flexible bushings non-rotatably se- ,cured in said sockets and on said arms, with their inner ends engaging said flanges and arranged to torsionally flex to accommodate the relative oscillations of said member and said spring, and means for drawing said sockets toward said spring to compress said bushings axially.

18. In spring connections, the combination of a spring having an eye, a frame member, arms projecting from opposite sides of said frame member and having flanges forming recesses, arms secured in said eye and having flanges forming recesses, shackle members havlng sockets in alignment with said recesses, rubber bushings seated in said recesses and said sockets, and .means for drawing said shackle members together to compress said bushings.

19. In spring connections, the combination of a springA eye, members secured in said eye and having flanges forming recesses, shackle members having sockets lopposite to said recesses, rubber bushings seated in said recesses and sockets and provided with axial bores, and arms on some of said members projecting into said bores.

v20. In pivotal connections, the combination of two relatively oscillatable members one of which has spaced arms and the other of which is arranged between said arms and provided with an opening, cup-shaped members carried by said arms, rubber bushings arranged end-to-end in said opening and projcting into and fitting said cup-shaped memrs, means for adjusting said cup-shaped members to compress said bushings axially, and a pin extending longitudinally through said bushings and unscathed a', @aber of am first-mentioned members.

21. In devices of the class described, the i combination of a. frame member and a spring member both havin openings therethrou with their axes para lel, pairs of rubber bus ings arran ed m each of said openings and projectingllaterally from said members, and shackle members having arms projecting into said bushings.

22. In devices Aof the class described, the combination of a frame member and a sprin member beth havin openings therethrou with their axes para lel', pairs of rubber bus ings arranged 1n each of said o enings and projecting laterally from sai members, shackle members havin arms projecting into said bushin and a Ibolt connecting said shackle mem rs and whereby the latter may be dawn together to compress said bushings axia y.

23. In pivotal connections, the combination of two relatively oscillatable members one of which has spaced arms and the other an eye arranged between said arms, supporting members having lugs extending into the opposite ends of said eye and flanged adjacent the ends of the eye, cup-shaped members carried by saidarms, rubber bushings fitted on said supporting members and within said cup-shaped members to form connections therebetween, and means for adjusting said cup-shaped members to compress said bushings axially.

24. In spring connections, the combination of a spring having means secured thereto provided with oppositely arran ed bushing sockets, a pair of shackle mem ers having sockets aligned with the first mentioned sockets and integral arms axially arranged therein, rubber bushings in said sockets, and means for drawing said shackle members 'together to compress said bushings.

25. In pivotal connections, the combination of an eye member, a non-metallic elastic bushing within said eye, a member relative to whichsaid e e oscillates, inwardly tapering parts exten ing into the opposite ends of said bushing and non-rotatably connected with the second-mentioned member, and means for forcing said parts into said bushing to subject the latter to expanding pressure so that it will tightly adhere to said eye and said parts and the relative oscillations between said members will be accommodated by torsional flexing of the bushing.

26. In pivotal connections, the combination of an eye member the internal diameter of which is less at the middle than at the ends thereof, a non-metallic elastic bushing within said e e, a member relative to which said eye osc' ates, inwardly tapering parte extending into the outer ends of said bushing and non-rotatably connected with the second mentioned mem r, and screw threaded means for forcing said parts into said bushing to subject the latter to expanding pressure so that it will tightly adhere to said eye and the relative oscillations of said members will be accommodated by torsional flexing of the bushing.

27. In pivotal connections the combination of two eye members, non-metallic elastic bushings Within said eye members, a pair of links for connecting said members and having non-rotatably connected therewith inwardly tapering parts which extend into the outer ends of said bushings, and means for drawing said links together to force said parts into said bushings and thereby subject the latter to expanding pressure so that the bushings will tightly adhere to said eyes and the relative oscillations between said eye members and said links will be accommodated by torsional flexing of said bushings.

28. In pivotal connections the combination of two eye members having a central ridge therein, non-metallic elastic bushings within said eye members and projecting from the ends thereof, a pair of lin-ks for connect-ing said members and having non-rotatably connected therewith inwardly tapering parts which extend into the outer ends of said bushings, and means for drawing said links together to force said parts into said bushings and thereby subject the latter to expanding pressure so that the bushings will tightly adhere to said eyes and the relative oscillations between said eye members and said links will be accommodated by torsional flexing of said bushings.

29. In a connection of the type described, the combination of a frame bracket provided with spaced parts having axially aligned tapered bushing seats, a spring eye positioned between said parts and axially aligned with said seats, non-metallic elastic bushings positioned in said eye and projecting laterally therefrom and having tapering outer ends engaging said seats, a member axially arranged in said bushings and through which the loads are transmitted from said bracket to said spring eye, the relative oscillations between said bracket and said spring eye being accommodated partly by torsional flexing of said bushings between said seats and said member and partly by torsional flexing of said bushings between said member and said eye, and means for axially compressing said bushings.

30. In a connection of the type described, the combination of a frame bracket, a spring eye, pairs of non-metallic elastic bushings seated in said bracket and said eye, shackle means between said bracket and said spring eye and having seats for said bushings, axially arranged pins in each of said pairs of bushings for transmitting the loads between said shackle means and said bracket and said eye, said pins being free from said shackle means and said bracket and said eye, and means for compressing said bushings axially to cause them to tightly adhere to the parts with which they engage whereby relative oscillations between said bracket, said spring eye and said shackle means are accommodated in part by torsional flexing of said bushings between said pins and said shackle means, and in part by torsional flexing of said bushings between said pins and said bracket and said spring eye.

31. In pivotal connections, the combination of an eye member the interior of which is flared outwardly from the middle thereof toward the opposite ends, rubber bushing means within said eye member, and a member relative to which said eye, member oscillates and on which there is means engaging the interior of said rubber bushing means and of increasing diameter from the middle of said bushing means toward the ends thereof and whereby said bushing means is expanded and thereby caused to tightly grip the interior of said eye and the second-mentioned means.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto afiix my signature.

HOWARD C. HARRIS. 

